Symptoms:
- Looking or biting at sides
- Stretching out
- Kicking at belly
- Excessive rolling
- Lip curl
- Not eating
- Pawing the ground
- Excessive lying down
- Trembling
- Not passing manure
- Excessive sweating
- Lack of gut sounds
- Dark mucus membranes
- Frequent attempts to urinate
- Increased heart rate-50 beats/minute and above
Tips to Reduce Risk of Colic:
- Keep a strict deworming schedule
- Feed hay off the ground or on mats to reduce ingestion of sand
- Allow pasture turnout/exercise
- Soak hay/pellets/cubes with water
- Feed grain only when necessary
- Be aware of changes in exercise, stabling, or diet
- Perform mechanical dentistry every 6-12 months
- Be aware of normal behavior for your horse
- Have a plan in place if your horse needs surgery. Making decisions in the moment are more difficult.
At Middletown Animal Hospital, all 3 of our veterinarians are experienced equine practitioners proficient in mechanical equine dentistry and are available for ranch calls throughout Lake County, CA. Better yet, save on the ranch call fee and haul your horse in to our veterinary practice in Middletown where we have stocks, stalls, round pen, and pastures. (we even have a horse trailer you can borrow for your appointment!)
Call us at 707 987-2000 to schedule a mechanical dentistry and wellness/vaccine appointment for your horse to reduce your horses chances of colic!